by Viola Grace
He led them across the tarmac and toward the bulk of a huge ship. "It does a full vertical takeoff and is environmentally friendly."
Rific pressed his hand to the access pad. Ripper followed suit and Roar pressed her palm to the slick panel. Rific followed her and the ship's access panel went through a rainbow of colours.
"There, it is set for your access. It might take a bit of work to knock the bugs out of it, but the Deck Ten has the potential to be an amazing ship." Rific smiled as the stairs descended for them. "Good luck, Guardsmen. Come back in one piece."
Ripper saluted, but Roar just waved. Once inside, she stowed her gear and noticed other bags in the ship. "What are these?"
Ripper opened one and grinned. "It's the clothing that Mala bought you. She had it put in the ship, just in case."
"Something tells me that just in case happens a lot around here." Chuckling, she locked the bins and strapped into the navigator seat.
Ripper sat next to her, strapped in and ran the pre-flight checks. The system powered up in seconds.
Roar held her breath and looked out the view screen as they lifted off. She thought she saw a woman with rainbow hair waving to her, but it could just have been a trick of the light.
Focussing on the present, she brought up the file and started to go over the mission information. It might not involve sentient beings, but it seemed to be perfect for her to start her career in the Sector Guard.
* * * *
In the data stream, Stancha watched the progress of the ship. Do you think she will be all right?
She will be fine. Mala has trained her in every aspect of her talent that she could think of. Relay smiled, Effin was breathing deeply next to her. He didn't mind if she surfed the stream, but she had to come to bed at a regular hour.
Is it right that a mate is being forced on her?
He isn't being forced. She isn't being forced. They are simply the best matches for each other. Commander went over it nine times. That she can come from a world where clones are the standard, to being a deviation from the norm makes her a rare and treasured creature. Ripper was a bully who needed someone to protect and while Roar doesn't need it, it gives him something to focus on.
Will she be safe with him?
Safer than with any other creature in the universe. He loves her and will eventually know it. She connected with him when he stepped on your station. You know it, too.
Yes, I know it. All of the sensors went wild the moment that she saw him. She was putting out enough pheromones that even Vera knew something was up.
Relay laughed and Effin rolled over. We have been looking for a match for her for years. It is just lucky that he came to our attention.
Stancha laughed through the data surrounding their encoded conversation. It was indeed. A man worthy of my caretaker. She isn't for the faint of heart.
Good, because he isn't either. With every match, I get the feeling that Commander could possibly be the best matchmaker ever crafted by genetics.
I am sure that Pilot thinks so, too.
Relay said her good nights and cuddled up next to Effin. He opened his eyes and asked her, "Are you finished your conversation?"
"I am. Stancha is looking forward to getting updates on Roar." Alessandra chuckled as her husband's hands started to move on her with purpose. Her blood started to pound in her veins as he moved over her, stroking her skin with his, the nap of his velvety skin driving her to a fever pitch.
"I don't care who wants updates, as long as you are with me right now and not the data stream." He lowered his head to hers and tangled her in a kiss that sparked senses that the data stream could never touch.
"Tonight, I am all yours." She moved and flipped him with his participation. "Tomorrow is negotiable."
His laugh ceased when she slid over him, taking his body into hers with a shiver. Together, they generated a power that rippled through her sensors until the dawn.
* * * *
Roar was flushed with triumph. She had opened the pass and the octapeds were stomping their way to their mating grounds.
She turned to speak to Ripper, but he was occupied. Biting her lip, she kept her silence as he and the two-ton beast fought for dominance. They shoved, Ripper's feet biting into the ground and the male beast digging in.
Growls and snarls were rippling through the air, so Roar did the only thing she could. She hopped up on a rock and watched the fight of two huge males. The species were different, but each of them was prime.
The harder the beast pushed, the larger Ripper grew. Eventually, they both eased up and backed off, maintaining eye contact the entire time.
The male beast was missing one of his horns, courtesy of Ripper's talon. It seemed amazing to Roar, but she had actually seen the spur shear through the horn.
As both males backed away, Ripper shrank back to his normal intimidating size. Roar guessed that he had been approaching seven and a half feet tall when he had stopped. It was a testament to Fixer's design talent that his suit had held up.
Instinct told her to stay back while he got himself back under control.
"It's safe to come over here now. The beast is gone and the rest of the herds have been dispersed." Ripper was still breathing heavily, but he seemed calmer.
"Thanks for watching my back. Who knew that they would pile onto the rock slide? If you hadn't gotten them to back up, we never would have completed this weird little mission." She came within arm's reach and knew instantly it was too close.
His hand lashed out and grabbed her, pulling her tightly against him. "I will watch any part of you I am given leave to. Now, perhaps a little show of appreciation is in order?"
She grinned and leaned up to plant a kiss on his jaw, another on his cheek and a final one on his lips. The moment she made contact, he wrapped his hands in her elaborate hair and held her for a ravaging kiss that brought her up on her toes and had her wrapping one leg around his thighs.
When they broke the kiss, they were both breathing heavily. Roar grinned at her partner, tracing her swollen lips with one finger. "It's a start."
He sighed and pressed his forehead to hers. "I may die before it is a finish."
"I won't let you die, as long as you remember that no means no. Especially with a woman who can shout you into paste."
She squealed as he lifted her, carrying her back to the Deck Ten with her legs around his waist. "Fine, as long as you remember that you can't fly the ships yet. You will stay where I put you."
He let her slide down his body and released her when they were in the ship. She grinned and returned to the nav station. "Fair enough, as long as you know I am a very quick study."
Arkhov laughed, a deep rich sound. "My darling, Cila. I am counting on it."
Author's Note
Cila was the first character I have written that could not use her quick wit via normal means. It was a little weird to write a character that had to write or have a translation medium for everything she said.
Welcome to the final set of the linear Sector Guard series. It will culminate with book 25, Pilot in Command, the story of the first members of the Sector Guard, Pilot and Commander. Their first meeting did not go smoothly, but I suppose you will find out all about it when the book makes its appearance.
Only four books to go.
Viola Grace
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About the Author
Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, met
al work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales.
Viola's fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.